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Troops provide vital aid to Caribbean islands

The British Army has deployed to the Caribbean to provide immediate assistance with the humanitarian aid and disaster relief efforts in response to Hurricane Irma.

Army Commando Engineers have started restoring vital services on the Turks and Caicos Islands after a special team flew in to assess damage.

Twenty four Commandos were flown in by the RAF ahead of the main British relief effort to survey the devastation. They met with island leaders to determine the priorities and where the manpower would best utilized.

Many islanders have lost their homes, their possessions and their livelihoods, but despite this, Lt Col Tom Salberg, Commanding Officer 24 Commando Royal Engineers was amazed by their resolve and response to Hurricane Irma.

He said; "The islanders have been through a lot, but I have been thoroughly impressed by the authorities' response and the community spirit and approach of everyone here. We now are trying to work out where we can best help those efforts."

They toured some of the devastated areas on Providenciales, the most populous island in the Turks and Caicos, which lie about 550 miles northwest of the British Virgin Islands, where much of the UK's military aid effort has been focused since the relief operation got under way on Friday.

The advance party inspected the island's water pumping station, which turns sea into drinking water for the 23,000 inhabitants, the security fence around the airport which has come down in places - and means animals can stray on to the runway - and the main prison is also damaged.

"From the initial locations we've visited, we've identified work where we can assist the authorities to repair infrastructure and services for islanders," said Capt Ben Stickland RE.

"It has been impressive to see the response by local contractors and residents re-establishing normal life in the wake of such devastation."

​Pictured: Army Commandos at work clearing debris

Vital supplies were delivered by powered raft from RFA Mounts Bay to the port at the capital Road Town, then driven by Commandos to the makeshift helicopter base at Peebles hospital, where they loaded the stores on to waiting RAF Puma helicopters.

The airmen flew three delivery missions to communities in the West End, East End and those from Cane Garden Bay.

At the latter, the helicopter landed on the beach where it was met by those in desperate need of supplies.